18 Questions
What is the primary function of the blood-thymus barrier in the thymus?
To prevent thymocytes from exposing to antigens
What type of TECs acts as antigen-presenting cells and secretes cytokines important for T lymphocyte development?
Stellate TECs
What is the characteristic of the nuclei of TECs?
Large, round, and euchromatic
What is the purpose of the cortico-medullary barrier formed by cortical squamous TECs?
To separate the cortex and medulla of the thymic lobule
What is the main component of the thymus cortex?
T lymphoblasts
What is the function of stellate TECs in T lymphocyte development?
To produce cytokines for T lymphocyte development
What is a characteristic of Hassall's corpuscles?
They stain readily with eosin
What is a feature of thymic corpuscles during thymic involution?
Cystic dilatation with accumulation of cellular debris
What is the primary location of dendritic cells in the thymus?
Medulla
What is the primary function of macrophages in the thymus?
Phagocytic activity
What is a characteristic of thymocytes in the cortex?
They have abundant, strongly basophilic cytoplasm
What is the primary function of the thymus in relation to lymphocyte development?
Development of lymphocytes through a process of selection and education
What is the main function of the blood-thymus barrier in the cortex?
To prevent cortical T lymphocytes from interacting with foreign macromolecules
What is the primary function of the thymic epithelial cells (TECs) in the cortico-medullary layer?
To support lymphocytes and dendritic cells
What is the characteristic feature of Hassall's corpuscles in the medulla?
They are composed of concentric layers of flattened type VI epithelioreticular cells
What is the purpose of Hassall's corpuscles in the medulla?
To promote the development of regulatory T lymphocytes
What is the difference between the cortex and the medulla in terms of the blood-thymus barrier?
The cortex has a blood-thymus barrier, while the medulla does not
What type of cells are found in the medulla, in addition to TECs?
Mature lymphocytes and dendritic cells
This quiz covers the structure and composition of the thymus cortex, including the types of thymic epithelial cells and their features. Learn about the squamous TECs, their functions, and how they relate to endothelial cells and pericytes. Test your knowledge of the thymus cortex and its components.
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